Nov
07
2007
2

More on Overstock.com

Okay, so it really is Overstock's policy to be pushy.

You know how you dread going into some stores because you're going to be pounced on by a sales rep?

I'm on their site looking at comforters again, yes? And I'm going back and forth between two browser windows, scrolling up and down and comparing information, when guess what pops up?

Overstock Overlords!

Good God, people. Can't you just leave us be? I feel like the screaming guy in the second episode of Black Books. When I want to buy something from you, I'll let you know. Otherwise, just simmer down, wouldja?

Written by Widge in: Ranting | Tags: ,
Nov
07
2007
0

Tip: Dealing With Pesky Holiday Tunes in iTunes

Okay, well, I had to work way too hard to try and help a guy on 43 Folders.

Anyway, here's what he was complaining about: tucking away songs that you don't want because they are tied to a particular event. Xmas, for example.

Real simple. It helps if you have everything tied with a genre like "Xmas" or "Holiday" or something.

Select all the songs you wish to tuck away somewhere else. Then right click and "Get Info" on all of them. Change the album to "Xmas Tunes" or whatever you want to call it, and make sure you check that this IS a compilation.

Now…go to your compilations folder, grab that Xmas Tunes folder and move it wherever you want it. Then just go back into iTunes and delete the songs from your library. When it becomes time to celebrate our favorite "reformed" pagan holiday, just throw the songs back into your library. Done.

Now, if you don't have everything fixed with a genre, then just use my previous tip about using stars to mark things needing action, and if you come across "Jingle Bells" when you shouldn't, mark it with the right amount of stars and then deal with it when you get home.

As to the comments on 43 Folders: I had to register, fill in my personal info, do a captcha, then wait for my password to show up. Then I put the password in and was told that I was denied access to the comment form after all that. No error messages. No whoops, you did something wrong. Just nada.

If I ever put in place a scheme so user-unfriendly as that bullshit, please promise me one of you will call me on it, okay?

Written by Widge in: Free Ideas | Tags: , , ,
Nov
03
2007
11

Overstock.com Chat Brings on the Hard Sell

Here's a chat my wife had with the people at Overstock.com regarding a down comforter we're trying to get.

The name has been changed to "Smith" for the protection of the guilty.

Welcome to Overstock.com's Live Chat! Your estimated wait time is 0 minutes and 10 seconds.
Welcome to Overstock.com, you are now chatting with 'Smith'

you: I am looking at down comforters and wondering why none of them have information on where they are made.

Smith: Thank you for visiting Overstock.com, this is Smith, how may I help you?

you: I am looking at down comforters and wondering why none of them have information on where they are made.

Smith: I will be glad to help you with that.

Smith: May I have the catalog number of the item that you are referring to?

you: 918019

Smith: Thank you, are you referring to the 'Naples 700 Thread Count Hungarian Goose Down Comforter' priced at $169.99?

you: That is correct. It says that the down is Hungarian, but I'm concerned about where the fabric and assembly comes from. We're trying to avoid buying products from China.

Smith: Thank you for confirming.

Smith: This item is Made in the U.S.A.

Smith: Where would you like this item to be shipped?

you: Thank you very much for your help. I'm still shopping, so I'm not ready to purchase this right now.

Smith: I understand this is an important decision for you that's why I'm here to help. Could you tell me what you'd like to think over?

you: I'm still comparing products and need to consult with my husband before making my purchase.

Smith: I truly appreciate your thought.

Smith: I am sure your husband will love this comforter set too.

you: I'll just have to wait and see what he thinks. Thanks for your help with determining the product origin.

Smith: Okay.

Smith: Not a problem.

Smith: Is there anything else that I can help you with?

you: No thank you. I appreciate your help.

Smith: Thanks for visiting Overstock.com. Your feedback is important. Please click 'Close' and complete the brief survey which appears. It takes less than one minute.

First of all, if you were wondering–we're trying to avoid Chinese products, at least until they get their shit together.

And I know you're thinking: Widge, what would be the chances of you getting a tainted product? And if you have to ask that, then you don't know me very well. I was voted Most Likely to Wind up a Statistic by my high school class. So I know better than to tempt fate.

Anyway, I was fine with this until he automatically assumed that we were ready to purchase. And then he turned into Used Car Salesman guy by trying to talk her into buying when it was obvious she just had a question. And then he took it one step further by saying, essentially, "Well, what can I do to help you think it over faster, so I can close this sale?"

The only thing I can take away from this is that Overstock.com chat people, if they are people and not Skynet drones, must get some kind of bonus for selling their shit via a chat. Because can you think of another reason they would act like this? Has anybody else ever run into this?

Dear Overstock: when you're coming on stronger than comissioned salespeople in brick and mortar stores, then you're forgetting why most of us shop online to begin with.

Written by Widge in: General BS | Tags: , , , , ,
Widge and a Night of the Living Dead poster from Belgium

This is me.

No, really.

I am a writer, poet, spoken word performer, actor, singer, improviser, content creation and idea machine, freelance iconoclast, and the internet's janitor that dispenses pop culture wisdom to the protagonist of your choice. I have seen too many movies, read too many comic books, and when the zombies finally come, I'm the one you want to call. I sure as hell won't answer the phone, but it's the thought that counts. I advise people on the net, websites and technology, because I know these things instead of having a life or sleeping.

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